Roman Culture Test 3
Motives of Caesar's Assassins
Their killing of Caesar was a patriotic attempt to restore the republic. They do not like what Caesar is doing. Concerned about him taking too much power. Concerned about Caesar's plan to make an exhibition against the Parthians. Concerned about their own dignitas or about changes in opportunities for the ambitious nobility. The assassins did not kill Mark Antony because it would look like a coup. Wanted to just get rid of the dictator. Could bring him to their side, but he is ambitious.
Treaty of Brundisium (39 BCE)
This treaty prevented a new civil war. Octavian got east, Antony got west. Antony married Octavia ("glue"), and the two of them headed east. Antony returned with a pregnant Octavia to Italy in 37 BCE. The Second Triumvirate was renewed. Octavia stayed in Italy when Antony left for the east.
Family Related Morality
This was one of Augustus' special forces. One of his methods use Legislation that encouraged marriage and child-bearing. For example, reward for production of three children. His legislation also discouraged (criminalized) sexual immorality. He reflected "old ideals" and the mos mairum. Interfering with tradition/decisions of Roman family.
Meanwhile, back in Rome
Uncooperative Cicero and the Triumvirate. Caesar admires Cicero, but he does not like his un-cooperation. In 59 BCE, Caesar (consul and pontifex maximus) retaliates against Cicero. He helped Publius Clodius Pulcher change from Patrician to Plebeian. Clodius is Cicero's enemy because of the Bona Dea Scandal. Nocturnal rites of the Bona Dea are help for women only. Held at the home of Julius Caesar in 62 BCE. Ritual was interrupted by Clodius in drag (dresses like a woman). Clodious was put on trial, but acquitted (Rome had trouble with bribery).
Challenges For Octavian After Defeating Antony and Cleopatra
Unify and restore Rome after Civil Wars. Find ways to "recreate" Rome and its institutions and create an acceptable and stable government.
Examples of Other Wall Paintings
Venus on a sea shell; Achilles and Briseis; Multiple paintings decorating a room
Public Baths
Wealthy citizens had private baths at home. Public Baths: cleanliness; exercise; recreation; = "Health Club". Famous Baths:"The Baths of Caracalla at Rome. [Caracalla = emperor from 212-217 BCE.] [Recognize and name.] Seneca tell us about living above a Roman bath house. It is very loud and you hear all kinds of noises.
The Elite and Their Day
Women: household and social obligations; religious ceremonies; etc. Men: Greet clients and handle problems; go to forum for political or legal business, gossip, etc.; baths; home to dine (early and simply).
The Pivotal Year of 44 BCE
Year of Caesar's 5th consulship (Mark Antony=colleague). On February 9th, Caesar was name "perpetual dictator" (dictator for life). Close to being a king (rex).
What happened to the younger Pliny and his mom? Letter # 16 tells us.
Younger Pliny (Y.P.) and mom went outside. Y.P. decided to read Livy. By dawn --- danger from tottering buildings. Y.P. and mom left town. Panicked mob followed. Carriages, sea creatures, and a black cloud with flashes of fire. Dark cloud sank down to land and sea. Y.P. refused to leave mom. Pitch darkness, shrieks, and wailing. Heavy showers of ash. Yellowish daylight at last. Y.P. and mom tried to find Uncle.
Civil War between Caesar and Pompey Begins
"Diehards" in Senate rejected compromise and passed the emergency decree against Caesar (49 BCE). Tribunes Mark Antony Curio leave Rome to join Caesar. Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his legions "under arms". He was violating the law and is now out of his province boundaries. Loses imperium (right to command armies) after leaving province. Headed down through Italy to Rome. Pompey left for Greece.
The Triumvirate Crumbles
56 BCE: Renewal of First Triumvirate -Consuls for 55 are Crassus and Pompey -Major 5-year commands: Syria for Crassus. Spain and grain supply for Pompey. Gaul until at least 50 BCE for Caesar. 54 BCE: Death of Caesar's daughter Julia 53 BCE: Crassus as proconsul in Syria was killed fighting the Parthinians -Legionary standards were captured -"Buffer" between Caesar and Pompey is gone 52 BCE: P. Clodius Pulcher murdered on orders of T. Annius Milo. -Clodius and Milo plus their gangs resulted in chaos at Rome. Clodius's supporters used the Senate house as a funeral pyre. Senate gets upset and Milo is sent to exile. Senate passed the Emergency Decree (Senatus Consultum "Ultimum") which allowed special troops levy and Pompey as sole consul. Balance of power problem developed. 51 BCE: Caesar asks for extension of command in Gaul to 49 BCE. Enemies get his request rejected. Attempt made to recall Ceaser from Gaul a year earlier.
Letter #13
A letter from Caesar. Tone is respectful to Cicero and wants him on his side
Power of Paterfamilias
A paterfamilias has power over his children and slaves and the children of slaves. The power of the Paterfamilias was known as the patria potestas, which was: absolute, included the power of life and death, and essentially life-long.
Creation of the First Triumvirate (60 BCE)
A political alliance formed between Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey, and Marcus Crassus. Caesar was the brain. This was an informal alliance not created by legislation. "Amicitia" means alliance among equals or near equals. Aims were power and political agenda. Ways to get alliance was to bring them into your family. The "glue" was Julia. Pompey married Caesar's daughter Julia.
Augustus' political position and his political reforms
A relatively stable system. Worked out with "support" of Senate. Wants to restore stability and unity among Romans in general.
A small court used as a triclinium in a house at Herculaneum
A triclinium is a dining room.Note the three permanent couches and the mosaic of Neptune with his wife Amphitrite
Antony Renews Affair with Cleopatra
Acknowledged his sons by her. Fathered another son by her (born 36 BCE). Antony could not marry Cleopatra by Egyptian law and she could not become his wife according to Roman law.
Results of conviction of adulterers
Adulterous wife and her lover were banished to different islands. There were property losses for both. An adulterous woman could not marry a freeborn Roman citizen. The marital status of an of the adulterous male was irrelevant. Adulterer only if partner was another man's wife.
Augustus' Legislation (18 BCE)
Adultery became a criminal offense and a special court was set up. There was liability for both parties, separate prosecutions, and wronged husband had to divorce wife (otherwise would be accused of pandering). A wronged wife could not prosecute her adulterous husband, someone in the family would have to do it.
Before Augustus' Adultery Legislation
Adultery was considered a private family matter. Case of an adulterous woman would have been handled privately by her Paterfamilias, family council, and husband.
End of the Civil War
After Octavian and Agrippa finally defeated Pompey's son Sextus Pompey at sea in 36 BCE, Octavian declared the civil war was over. Octavian was given an ovation (standing ovation) at Rome plus the sacrosanctity of a Tribune (without office) and began to build up his power base in Italy. Octavian also removed Lepidus from the Triumvirate and sent him into exile.
Caesar begins his 5-year term as proconsul
After his year as consul, 58 BCE, Caesar became proconsul of Cisalpine, Transalpine and Gallin Comata. -Cisalpine Gaul: northern Italy -Transalpine Gaul ("The Province"): near Spain, protected road to Spain -Gallin Comata: "Long-haired Gaul" was the non-romanized Gaul; home of the Aquitani, Celtae, and Belgae (toughest and nearest to Rome)
Sulprica
An intriguing female poet. Not sure if she was a real young women.
Basilica
An oblong or rectangular hall; often colonnaded (inside and out); often had apses at end. (Apse = a semicircular projection.) Multi-purpose building: Law courts; public administration; etc. Examples: Basilica Ulpia in the forum of Trajan (Trajan = Marcus Ulpius Traianus); Constantine's Basilicas at Trier and at Rome.
Letter # 15 reports the heroic actions and death of Pliny the Elder
August 24, 79 CE [AD]. [Emperor at the time = Titus.] Cloud sighted over Mt. Vesuvius: Cloud looked like an umbrella pine tree. Uncle Pliny ordered boat to be prepared. He planned to go investigate. Younger Pliny [age 17] stayed home to do a writing assignment. Pleas for help came and the planned observation turned into a rescue mission. Uncle Pliny had ship launched. Headed into danger. Ash, pumice, and sea changes. Dictation of observations. Stabiae and friend Pomponius. Uncle Pliny tried to calm everyone. Bath, dinner, and nap for Uncle Pliny. Sheets of flame from Mt. Vesuvius. Ash and shaking buildings vs. pumice. Pillows for protection. Unnatural darkness. Flames and smell of sulfur. Uncle Pliny collapsed. Uncle died from suffocation but we do not know what happened to the other men.
Letter #14
Cicero on his obligations to Pompey. Took Pompey's side reluctantly although he was worried about his position.
Cicero's "Last Stand"
Cicero's letters (18, 19, and 20) show us his views about Caesar's assassination, Octavian, and Antony. He is not exactly upset over Caesar's death. Cicero supported Octavian and opposed Antony. Wrote the Phillippics which were speeches attacking Mark Antony. In November, 44 BCE, Antony left Rome and went with his army to his province in the Cisalpine Gaul. Problem is one of the conspirators is governor. Cicero convinced the Senate in January, 43 BCE to give Octavian imperium and membership in the senate. Two consuls, forces, Octavian, and his troops clash with Antony at Mutina in Cisalpine Gaul. Both consuls are killed. Octavian and his army go to Rome to get consulship and Caesar's assassins are declared outlaws.
Dressing For the Day
Citizen men wore tunic and toga (for formal occasions, have head covered for religious ceremonies). Women wore tunic; stola (long dress) and palla (cloak); elaborate hairstyle or wig; cosmetics (chalk or white lead for face --- cf. Ovid)
Some Occupations of Other Classes
Cobblers; carpenters; shopkeepers; taverners; bakers; fish vendors; makers of Garum (what was that?); physicians; etc. Occupations of non-elite Roman women: store managers and vendors; tavern keepers; cooks; midwives; wet-nurses; clothing makers; etc.
The Metamorphoses ("Transformations")
Didactic "epic" poem. From creation of world to deification of Julius Caesar: myths about people changed into animals, trees, stones, etc. Augustus would not liked this poem or the depiction of deities (Jupiter, Apollo, etc. chase human women, nymphs, etc.)
The Ars Amatoria (The Art of Love)
Didactic (cf. Lucretius) poem in elegiac meter (meter used for love poems). Playful and also "tongue in cheek". Topic of the Ars Amatoria was the art of seduction. Augustus would not like this work by Ovid.
The Fasti
Didactic poem about the Roman calendar and festivals --- lots of myths and legends
Antony Headed East to Greece and Tarsus (42 BCE)
He summoned Queen Cleopatra of Egypt to come to Tarsus in Cilicia. She delays a bit, but finally comes to visit. Was 29 years old when she made her spectacular appearance in her royal barge at Tarsus after Antony summoned her there. The Greek biographer Plutarch describes her arrival and impact on Antony.
Clodius Elected as Tribune of the Plebs
In 59 BCE, Clodius was elected for Tribune of the Plebs for 58 BCE. As a tribune, he got got a bill passed (by the Plebeian Assembly) declaring that any one who had a Roman citizen executed without "popular sanction" (without a chance to appeal to the Roman people) would be outlawed. This bill was directed at Cicero because of the execution of Lentulus and the other four Catilinarian conspirators in Rome. Clodius bill causes Cicero's exhile. Cicero goes to Macedonia from 58-57 BCE. Cicero gets help from Pompey. Pompey has the bill repealed and Cicero is allowed to return.
Ovid and Augustus: the Mystery of Ovid's Exile
In 8 CE [AD]: Augustus banished Ovid to Tomis on the Black Sea. In his poems from exile: Ovid says he was exiled because of a poem and a mistake ("Carmen et error"). Further: The error was not crime and was not premeditated. He had seen something and not reported it (out of fear). Coincidences or clues? In 2 BCE --- Augustus' daughter Julia was banished for adultery. Ovid's "Art of Love" I and II appeared in 1 BCE."In 8 CE --- Augustus' granddaughter Julia was banished for adultery.
Mark Antony Grab For Power
In March 17, 44 BCE Mark Antony was consul. On this date he got the senate to agree to compromise. They were to give amnesty for Caesar's assassins, Caesar's will and his acts would be respected, and Caesar's funeral would be held. They was a funeral pyre and funeral in the Campus Martius and Mark Antony's speech for Caesar (Plutarch and Shakespeare gave us version of speech). During this funeral, a mob rioted. Assassins left Rome by mid-April.
Some "Ordinary"People
In a bakery stall, there is bread on the counter. The scenes from Salvius' Inn : a couple kissing; a waitress serving wine to two customers; two men playing dice (and getting angry). [This is almost like a comic strip.] A wall painting of men in togas in Pompeii's forum: Men are looking at statues of horses.
"Cleopatra Ode"
In his poem, Horace describes Cleopatra as corrupt, foul, drunken, and a monster. At the end, he gives a little more respect to her.
Creation of the Second Triumvirate
On November, 43 BCE Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus (pontifex maxmius) form the Second Triumvirate. It was created by law. Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus were legally appointed magistrates with 5-year terms. Each was responsible for certain provinces. The Triumvirate created proscription lists to eliminate opposition. Cicero was on the proscription lists and was murdered on December 7th, 43 BCE. Head and hands were mounted on the speaker's platform in the forum. Cicero underestimated the ruthless Octavian.
Letter # 15 by Pliny the Younger: Some Notes to Help with the Reading
Pliny the elder Member of the Equestrian Order. Commander of Roman fleet at Misenum at the Bay of Naples. This letter was written at the request of the historian Tacitus after the death of Pliny the Elder (Uncle Pliny).
What happened to Pompeii and Herculaneum?
Pompeii: Got pumice stones in one layer. Then got ash, hot gases, debris, and molten rock. Herculaneum got hot "mud lava"
Letter #15
Pompey planned to recruit forces from east (including "distant barbarians"), encircle Italy through control of seas, starve out Italy, and invade like Sulla. Planned to use proscription lists.After Pompey's death, there was more fighting elsewhere, but Caesar was the victor (45 BCE). Caesar's famous clementia (clemency) meant no proscriptions. Cicero, who had taken Pompey's side (reluctantly) was pardoned.
Stage set for civil war with Caesar vs. Pompey
Pompey took new father-in-law as colleague in the consulship. Pompey got a five-year extension of his imperium.
Intriguing "Portraits" in Wall Paintings
Portrait of a husband and wife from Pompeii: Man is holding a scroll. Woman is holding is holding wax tablets and a stylus A well-dressed woman playing a cithara (Greek lyre) with an audience of three other women. Note the couch and footstool.
Dividing the Roman World
Provinces (spheres of responsibility) for Antony and Octavian. Both of them has pietas. Mark Antony got Gaul, the Roman east (Greece and points east), and Parthia (if he could win there). Octavian got the task of providing land grants for about 10,000 veterans in Italy. He gradually got "responsibility" for the Roman west, including Gaul, Spain, Sardinia, Roman Africa, and of course Italy.
Cleopatra VII
Ptolemy founded the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Cleopatra was the last of the Ptolemaic rulers. Had ruled Egypt since age 18 with junior male co-ruler. Caesarion was Cleopatra and Caesar's son. Spent time in Rome during Caesar's dictatorship (probably met Mark Antony then). Returned to Egypt after Caesar's assassination. She was brilliant, intellectual, fluent in several languages, including Egyptian (a language other Ptolemies never bothered to learn), and obviously fascinating to Antony. Anotony spent winter with her in Alexandria. Has twins (Alexander and Cleopatra) by him in 40 BCE.
Who reflected the real mos maiorum? Augustus or the love poets?
Real mos maiorum = "boys will be boys" but then grow up into good citizens under the watchful eyes of a paterfamilias? Real change = criminalization of adultery and fornication? [But there were no official "morals police."]
Octavian's Plan
Reject dictatorship. Accept selected titles and powers. Keep semblance of legality and Republic as power increases. Every step he takes goes back to mos maiorum.
Getting to know Pliny the Elder ("Uncle Pliny") through a letter (# 8 in F. ) by Pliny the Younger.
Scholar and author [e.g., Natural History = an encyclopedia]. Letter tells us Pliny the Elder was a hard worker. This letter was written after the death of Pliny the Elder.
Adultery
Sexual relations between a married women and a man who is not her husband. The woman's marital state is crucial. Romans were concerned about the wife's chastity and the paternity of the children of the marriage.
Street in Pompeii and Herculanueum
Streets are paved and had big blocks to be used as stepping stones for flooding or only allowing certain vehicles. Some of the buildings have advertisements on the side of them.
Augustus' Building Programs
1. Redesign of the Forum Romanum 2. Completion of the Forum of Julius Caesar. 3. Construction of the Forum of Augustus [Augustan Forum]
Julius Caesar's First Consulship (59 BCE)
Caesar becomes consul for 59 BCE. He did not get along with his colleague Bibulus. As a consul, Caesar was frustrated by the Senate. Bibulus kept trying to veto Caesar, but Caesar just ignored it. It worked pretty well for Caesar. He got things through that he wanted. To get his legislation passed, he would bypass the Senate and work through the assemblies of the people.
Caesar expanded Roman territory and wrote his commentaries about the Gallic War (The Gallic War).
Caesar had a political account and ethnography (sections about the people Gaul, Germany, and Britain and their customs. "Reports" to Senate and People of Rome (SPQR). Justification and politics. Written in third person because it gets his name out when being read to a crowd or to remind you who wrote it when reading it to yourself.
Caesar and Pompey in Civil War Part II
Caesar in control of Italy and Rome showed clementia (clemency) to Pompey's supporters. There were communications between Caesar and Cicero. Senators in Rome fail to give Caesar any legal authority. Caesar leaves Mark Antony in Rome, heads west (Spain), defeats Pompeians in Spain, and blocks Pompey's attempt at encirclement. Back in Rome Caesar is legally appointed dictator for a few days. Elected consul for 48 BCE. Cicero heads to Greece to join Pompey. Battle of Thessaly (48 BCE) won by Caesar. Pompey headed to Egypt and was murdered there by order of King Ptolemy XIII. Caesar went back to Egypt dismayed by murder of Ptolemy and backed Cleopatra against King Ptolemy. More fighting elsewhere after Pompey's death. Caesar won in 45 BCE. Cicero (of course) was pardoned.
Ovid Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BC-18 CE)
Chose poetry over the cursus honorum or a legal career. "Maverick" in Augustan Age.
A Forum
Emperors added their own forums (fora) near original forum at Rome. The Forum of Augustus has apses (statues). Trajan's Market was in Trajan's Forum. It was a mall or a place to do business and sell things.
End of the Triumvirate
In 33 BCE, the second term if the Triumvirate ended. Nothing official happened, they just decided to end it. Octavian stopped using the title "triumvir" (was to be consul for 31 BCE). Antony kept the title; the consuls for 32 BCE were his supporters.
Male poets still wrote about mistresses and love affairs
Not concerned about public life and duties. Mistresses were courtesans, not married, or marriageable women.
The Amores ("Love Affair)
Not sure if Corinna was a real, live mistress.
Part of the frieze from the Villa of the Mysteries outside of Pompeii:
Note Silenus with a lyre and Pan with his panpipe. Not sure if this is connected with rites of Dionysus/Bacchus or just mysterious. The background is a deep "Pompeian Red".
One more war (31-30 BCE)
Octavian (now a consul) had war declared as a just war (iustum bellum) against Cleopatra (not Antony). Cleopatra is a foreign enemy. If Antony sides with a foreign enemy he would be a traitor. Decisive sea battle at Actium (September 2, 31 BCE). Octavian's forces under Agrippa defeated Antony and Cleopatra.
Catallus' Poems Connected to Lesbia
#51: the poet's jealously and passion. #5: "Let us live and love"; ignore gossip of stern old men; "give me 1000+ kisses, " etc. #7: How many kisses are enough and more than enough? Images of sand and stars. #8: Wretched (miser) Catullus. #11 (pp. 26-27): Catullus lashes out and shows his pain. No concern about pietas or gravitas or public opinion. Not worried about adultery or stuprum (not a criminal offense yet).
The Scope of the Patria Potestas
-Control of all property -Legal liability for children and slaves -Arrangement of marriages and divorces -Decision about whether to raise newborn children -Punishment of children (including death).
Limits to the Patria Potestas
-Custom of family council -Scrutiny by Censors -Some religious laws and later legislation.
Emancipation
-Death of the Paterfamilias resulted in the legal emancipation of his children (A paterfamilias could decide to emancipate a son earlier) -Each son was then independent (sui iuris). He also became the paterfamilias of his own descendants. -Daughters? Depended on the type of marriage. (Join husband's family or stay in own)
Who could a married or unmarried man have sex with?
-Slaves (often his own) -Prostitutes. (Prostitution was legal.) -Unmarried lower class women A married man's sexual activities were not adultery unless his partner was a married woman who was not his wife.
Caesars's Stresses in Gallic War
-Successes as a general and administrator -Additions made to Rome's territory -Justifications and legality -Involvement of Roman interests (By 50 BCE: all Gaul = Roman)
Triumph of Armenia
Antony celebrates his triumph over Armenia. He goes to Alexandria to celebrate triumph. He takes spoils of war and gives it to Jupiter. This is a break of Roman tradition. The Donations of Alexandria was Antony assigning kingdoms to his children. Antony proclaims that Cleopatra's son Caesarion was the legitimate son of Caesar and that Cleopatra and Caesarion were joint rulers of Egypt and Cyprus.
Antony Invades Parthia
Antony sets out to invade Parthia. Antony gets out but loses a lot of men (legionary standards).
The Second Settlement (23 BCE)
Augustus resigned from his consulship and the Senate granted him: -Proconsular imperium within Rome and greater imperium than other proconsuls (i.e., the equivalent of control of Rome's armies). -Permanent Tribunician power (the Tribunician potestas) without the office. This power let him:o Bring proposals to the Roman people (i.e., the Plebeian Assembly). -Exercise veto power over other magistrates, etc. (just like a Tribune, only more so).o Summon and consult the Senate first (i.e., before any magistrate). THE CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS OF THE PRINCIPATE = PROCONSULAR IMPERIUM AND TRIBUNICIAN POWER.
At the Campus Martius (Field of Mars)
Augustus' Mausoleum = Augustus' tomb in Rome. Family tomb [pietas]. Had inscriptions with Octavia and Marcellus. Also a symbol of power and stability. Augustus' "Acts" (Res Gestae) engraved on front.
Forum Augustus
Built on private land and financed with war profits Enclosed piazza (square). Colonnades (porticoes) and statues. A semi-circular apse behind each colonnade with important statues. Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger). Vowed by Octavian at Philippi. Reminder of vengeance for assassination of Julius Caesar [pietas shown by Augustus]. Inside the temple of Mars Ultor: Statue group with Venus, Mars, (plus deified Julius Caesar?) and legionary standards (of three Roman armies) recovered from the Parthians by Augustus' diplomacy (20 BCE).
Forum Romanum
Basilica Julia: An office building to meet for business. Place with roof to get out of sun. Long rectangular building. Curia Julia (Senate House): Julius Caesar started this. Temple of the Deified Julius Caesar
Some Benefits and Drawbacks of City Life
Benefits: Business opportunities; shops; entertainment; aqueducts; public baths and toilets; streets (paved). Drawbacks: Expense; noise; thefts and burglary; unconcerned neighbors; poorly built insula; falling "bodies"; fire; crowds.
Catullus (84-54 BCE)
Best in circles of "new poets". Known for: Experimentation, polish, erudition (what does that mean?), and fun. Some of his poems deal with love affair with a mistress whom he calls Lesbia. Lesbia is a girlfriend/affair/not actual name. Lesbia because Sappho of Lesbos. Lesbia might be Clodia.
Practical Uses of Arch
Bridges and aqueducts. Sewer (Cloaca Maxima). Buildings (Colosseum, etc.).
Aqueducts
Brought water to the city. [Account by Frontinus survives.] By time of the empire --- +250,000,000 gallons of water per 24 hours were coming to Rome. Aqueducts = underground channels and arched bridges. [Frontinus mentions 9 major aqueducts that bring water to Rome.] Water use laws:"Laws against damage." "Clear space" laws. Famous surviving aqueducts: Pont du Gard = triple-tiered; Segovia
On the Palatine Hill
Built a temple for Apollo (helper of Actium) with a library connected to it. Ramp went up to Augustus' home. Connected with the encouragement of literary patronage (Maecenas and Virgil). Ptolemies and the Great Library and museum. Restored the Temple of the Magna Mater (Cybele).
A circular temple (at Rome) to "all the deities": The Pantheon
Built by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 CE (AD). Augustus' son-in-law Agrippa had built an earlier temple on the spot; Hadrian gave credit to Agrippa (and not to himself) in an inscription on his new Pantheon. Note the "traditional" front of the Pantheon with the dome rising up behind it. [Cf. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.]
Decorative or honorific use = the Triumphal Arch.
Earliest triumphal arches = single archway."Later example of this type = the Arch of Titus, [Emperor Titus Flavius Vespasianus ruled from 79-81 CE. Sculptures on the Arch of Titus: Has relief sculptures of Titus and a triumphal procession. Another style of Triumphal Arch = the triple archway with a big central arch and two lateral arches. Example of this style = the Arch of Constantine. That arch has borrowings from other monuments (from a monument of Emperor Hadrian). Non-borrowed parts = sculptured panels: events in Constantine's victory; Constantine giving gifts.
The Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace)
Enclosure and altar of Augustan Peace. Constructed between 13-9 BCE. Combines legendary and contemporary." Friezes on side panels of the enclosure shows a ceremonial procession. Friezes are continuous bands of sculptures. Depicted in that procession: -Augustus (as the Pontifex Maximus). -Flamines (What are they? How can we recognize them?) -Agrippa: consul and son-in-law of Augustus -Livia: Augustus' wife -Various member of Augustus' family. See so many children because of family values and wanting more children. We see recognizable and contemporary Romans. Setting example of pietas toward deities, etc. Emphasizing peace connected with Augustus. [Note togas.] The relief sculpture on the end panels: legendary and/or symbolic. Aeneas sacrificing: Pietas of founder of the Roman people. Note the little shrine for the household deities. Romulus and Remus and the she-wolf. Aeneas + Romulus + Augustus = "fellow founders"? Tellus (Mother Earth) or Pax (Peace) symbolizes peace, prosperity, and fertility. Roma (Rome) balances Tax/Tellus on other side. Taken all together the end panels can show past and continuing ideals on which Rome rests in Pax Augustus.
Common form of domus for well-to-do = the atrium house.
Entrance (vestibule). Atrium = reception hall. Partially roofed to let in light and air. In the atrium was the impluvium = a basin for rainwater that flowed off of the roof (and down through the opening in the ceiling). In the rest of the house (depending on size of house): Office or place for family records. Triclinium = the dining room (with couches for reclining). Bedrooms (cubicula). Kitchen; library; storeroom; etc. At the rear of the house: Peristyle = courtyard with garden and colonnade.
The Prima Porta Augustus
Found in the villa of his wife Livia. Augustus as an imperator (victorious general). Could be holding a palm of victory, general staff, a spear, or could just be pointing. He is barefoot because he seems like a hero or deity or because he is dead. Kid on a dolphin is Cupid. Relief sculpture on his breastplate: Diplomatic victory over the Parthians. Return of the legionary standards.
Octavian Takes War to Egypt (30 BCE)
Octavian besieged the area. Cleopatra send the message she had committed suicide. Cleopatra did not want to be defeated and march in victor's triumph. Egypt became a Roman province. Octavian increased his wealth and knew hot to use it.
Housing in Rome
Housing in Rome was expensive. The wealthy would buy (Cicero) while others would rent. Apartment house was an insula which had housing and shops on ground floor. Private home (for those who could afford one) was a domus. Had housing + shops or businesses and enclosed space with emphasis inward.
Remedies for Love
How to get out of a love affair or cure love sickness.
Under Augustus' legislation, violence was allowed under certain conditions:
If the married woman and her lover were caught in flagrante delicto (= in the act): -If her father was the one who caught them and he caught them in his house or in the house of his son-in-law: Her father then could kill the woman if (and only if) he also killed the lover. -The wronged husband could kill the man whom he caught in flagrante if (and only if): The act was taking place in the husband's home. And the lover was a: slave; freedman; pimp; actor; gladiator; etc. (i.e., of lowly status)
Stuprum
Illicit sexual relations with a marriageable girl or woman (virgin; widow; or divorced woman of respectable station). In the Roman Republic, it was considered a family matter. Father punished daughter for harming chances of marriage. After Augustus' legislation it was a matter for criminal court.
The "March" Toward War
In 32 BCE, both consuls and many senators left Rome and joined Antony. Antony divorced Octavia. Octavia was beloved at Rome and took Antony's children with her. Octavian seized Antony's will from the Vestal Virgins and read it to the Senate. Antony wanted to be buried in Alexandria because Egypt was his base of power. This shows he does not care about Rome. Octavian attacked Antony's character whenever he could. Octavian got all civilians in Italy and western provinces to swear an oath of allegiance to him. Puts himself out as their patron. They are his clients. Also does this in preparation for war.
The Arch
Known to Greeks and Etruscans but perfected by Romans. Use of arches led to vaulted ceilings and domes.
Some wall painting with deities from a household shrines in Pompeii
Lares Familiares: House deities for good luck and protecting the family. Painting of Dionysus dresses in grapes. Mount Vesuvius is behind hime. Picture is painted before the eruption.
Letter #12
Letter to his secretary Tito. Not really taking any sides.
Letter #11
Letter to his wife Terentia about the situation in Rome. He is worried about his wife and is concerned with what she should do.
Augustus' Legislation
Limited what the woman's father could do. Added limited right of killing the lover. Offered better protection for the woman.
Assassination of Julius Caesar
On March 15th (Ides of March), Caesar was assassinated by Brutus, Cassius and others. Place was the meeting of the Senate in the theater of Pompey (theater has colonnade and a Temple of Venus) which was sacrilegious. Caesar always trusted his luck, but he was surrounded by daggers and killed.
Caesar's Heir
Mark Antony expected to be named as Caesar's heir. Caesar's actual heir turned out to be his grandnephew Gaius Octavius. He was adopted as son in Caesar's will and became Gaius Julius Caesar Ovtavianus (goes by Octavian).
Augustus has aims and a plan to build unity
Remind Romans about "traditional" ideals and inherited customs (i.e., the mos maiorum). Get Romans to focus on: Gravitas, Pietas, Fides, etc. (= morality), Religious traditions, Family, Honest work, etc. Try to get Romans to be like "ideal Romans". Stress rebuilding, not losses. Methods are Personal example, Legislation, Literary patronage, Architecture, sculpture, coins, etc.
Narrative Sculpture
Review the relief sculptures on the Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace) Enclosure. The Column of Trajan: Note the carved band going in a spiral up the 100-ft. column. The sculpture depicts scenes from the Emperor Trajan's military campaigns in Dacia [Transylvania].
Typical Episode in Caesar's Gallic War: Caesar vs Helvetii
The Helvetii leave for new territory through the Province. Orgetorix was the foremost man among the Helvetii and started a conspiracy. Oregetorix wants power. His first step is to persuade Hevetii to migrate. His second step is an informal "alliance" and plot with Casticus and Dumnurix. His aims were kingship for each one and control of Gaul. Oregetorix is arrested and put in chains. People try to get him out, but he dies possibly by suicide. Helvetii leave for new territory anyway. Caesar intervenes by building fortification to keep Helvetians out of the Province. Caesar provides justification to Roman about lack of trust in Helvetii and previous offense of Helvetii. Previous offense was the defeat and humiliation of Roman army of Lucius Cassius. Caesar shows he is acting efficiently and legally. Helvetii head to territory of the Aedui and the Seguani. Aedui seek help from Caesar. Caesar acts quickly and defeats the Canton of the Tigurani and gets bridge. Gives help for friends and preemptive strike against enemies. Caesar receives envoys from Helvetti, led by Divico. Caesar demands for them to leave the territory and give them hostages. Caesar fights and defeats the Helvetii. Surviving Helvetii return to old territory. Caesar arranges for other tribes to give them food. Stay good fighters by buffer against Germany.
The Paterfamilias
The Roman familia (family/household) was the basic social and legal unit. According to Roman law (and custom), the head of a familia was its Paterfamilias. A Paterfamilias was the oldest "living male ancestor" (e.g., great-grandfather, grandfather, father) of a familia and had power (potestas) over all of his descendants through the male line.
Revenge Against Caesar's Assassins
The Senate deified Julius Caesar in 42 BCE (named the fifth month in the Roman calendar Julius). Hence, Octavian become a "divus filius" (son of a deity). In the Battle of Philippi (42 BCE), Antony and Octavian fight against Brutus and Cassius. Assassins versus side that would of supported Caesar. Defeat and suicide for Brutus and Cassius.
The First Settlement
The Settlement of Jan. 13, 27 BCE. Octavian reinstated the magistracies and returned his powers and provinces back to the Senate and People of Rome. "The Republic was restored." Octavian was "convinced" to keep some provinces (with armies)
Important Titles that Octavian Accepted
The consulship: he held 13 consulships legally and with a colleague (42-23 BCE; 5 BCE; and 2 BCE). Imperator: this is a special title for a victorious Roman general. Octavian officially added this title after 30 BCE. Princeps Senatus: First senator on the list of senators = the senior senator. (28 BCE). Augustus: = "hallowed one". The Senate gave Octavian the title of Augustus on Jan. 16, 27 BCE and set up a golden shield honoring him (in the Senate house). There were virtues inscribed on the shield. The sixth month of the year became August. Princeps: Augustus chose the term "first citizen" to designate his position in the state and give a nod to the restoration of magistracies. Princeps was Augustus preferred title. We now use the term Principate to designate the period from the rule of Augustus up to the late 3rd century CE. Pater Patriae (father of his country): The Senate gave this title to Augustus in 2 BCE.
Octavian's Triumph
in 29 BCE, Octavian celebrated his triumph in Rome (unlike Antony). He closed the gates/doors of the Temple of Janus. Doors are open in time of war and closed in time of peace. This is the first time in years the door has been closed. This was the beginning of Pax Augusta (Augustan peace). Octavian in charge of Roman world. There is no viable rival left.
